Clip for elliptically-shaped containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for retaining a plurality of containers. The device has a frame having a length dimension with opposite sides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of the frame. Each arm has an arm portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame length and a curved portion connecting the arm portion to the frame length to form an open cavity between the frame and the arm. The cavity is adapted to receive and retain one of the elliptically-shaped containers. The cavity has at least one width dimension that is slightly smaller than the corresponding diameter dimension of the elliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained within the cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging device for containers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Commercially available containers, such as infant feeding bottles, aretypically packaged in groups. In order to do so, the containers areoften packaged in paperboard cartons or shrink-wrapped trays. This typeof packaging is designed to protect the containers from being separatedfrom one another and being damaged during shipment, handling, andstorage. Upon purchase of the packaged containers, the consumer mustopen the packaging and remove a container to further use it.Unfortunately, once the paperboard carton or shrink wrapped tray isopened, the carton or tray can no longer securely retain the remainingcontainers. The containers are permitted to move freely inside thepackaging, causing them to become susceptible to being damaged ormishandled.

Plastic clip systems designed to retain such containers have beendeveloped in U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,975 to Pezzoli, etal. and U.S. Pat. No.3,028,189 to Gialanella. In these systems, the clip device comprises anlongitudinal central section and a plurality of opposed gripping membersattached to the longitudinal central section. Each pair of grippingmembers forms an opening for receiving and retaining a cylindricalcontainer, such as a baby bottle.

One disadvantage to the clip systems of Pezzoli and Gialanella is thatthey require two gripping members to retain each container. Because twogripping members are required to retain each container, both grippingmembers must flexibly adjust in order to receive a container or allow acontainer to be removed. This makes it physically difficult to insert orremove a container from the gripping members without using excessiveforce, which could ultimately damage the container or clip system.

Another disadvantage to the Pezzoli and Gialanella clip systems is thatthey are adapted to receive and retain only cylindrical containers. Acontainer or bottle that has any other body configuration would not fitsecurely into the gripping members of the Pezzoli or Gialanellainvention.

Non-cylindrical containers are becoming commercially popular. Forexample, some manufacturers of sports drinks are producing bottles withoval or elliptical body shapes in order to provide a bottle that is easyto grip and drink from while participating in a sports activity. Theoval or elliptical shape fits into the hand more comfortably than acylindrical drink bottle would.

Similarly, infant feeding bottles having an elliptical bodyconfiguration provide a bottle that is easier for both the infant andthe caregiver to grasp. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,786,344 toKipperman relates to a baby bottle having an elliptically-shaped body,which ensures that the bottle is sufficiently narrow to enable acaregiver to comfortably hold the bottle while feeding the infant. Forpremature infants, the elliptical configuration of the bottle isespecially important, as it is often necessary to encourage the infantto feed by stimulating its cheek during feedings. In one embodiment ofthe Kipperman elliptically-shaped bottle, the caregiver can hold thebottle between her middle and forefinger, allowing her to stimulate thebaby's cheek with her thumb during the feeding. Bottles having thisshape could not be contained within either the Pezzoli or Gialanellaclip.

Thus, it would be useful to provide a packaging device forelliptically-shaped containers that allows the containers to remainsecure after one container is removed from the packaging and retains thecontainers through the use of only one gripping member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a novelpackaging clip for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shapedcontainers. The clip has a frame having a length dimension with oppositesides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of theframe. Each arm has an arm portion extending substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the frame length and a curved portionconnecting the arm portion to the frame length to form an opencontainer-retaining cavity between the frame and the arm. The cavity isadapted to receive and retain one of the elliptically-shaped containersby generally conforming to the elliptical shape of the containerinserted therein. The cavity has at least one width dimension that isslightly smaller than the corresponding diameter dimension of theelliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained withinthe cavity.

The present invention is also directed to a such a novel packaging cliphaving retained elliptically-shaped containers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device that retains aplurality of elliptically-shaped containers. It is also an object of theinvention to provide a device that stabilizes containers duringshipment, displays the containers while in inventory, distributes thecontainers easily and permits the re-storage of the containers.

Among the several advantages found to be achieved by the presentinvention is that the packaging device is adapted to receiveelliptically-shaped containers and allows the containers to remainsecure after one container is removed from the packaging. Additionally,the containers can be firmly reattached to the packaging device withease by inserting the container into the cavity. This eliminates thepossibility of dropping or mishandling due to unsecured containers. Incertain embodiments, the present invention also provides a packagingdevice adapted to receive elliptically-shaped containers with the use ofonly one arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a packaging clip of the present invention inwhich all cavities face the same direction and one container is retainedby the clip.

FIG. 1 a is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a packaging clip ofthe present invention in which the cavities on opposite sides of theclip face opposite directions.

FIG. 2 a is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a packaging clip ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packaging assembly of the presentinvention in which a plurality of containers are retained by the clip.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not alimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers suchmodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of thepresent invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the followingdetailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art that the present discussion is a description of exemplaryembodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to a novelpackaging clip 10 for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shapedcontainers. The clip 10 has a frame 20 with a length dimension andopposite sides. A plurality of arms 30 extend from opposite sides of theframe 20. Each arm 30 has an arm portion 31 extending substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the frame 20 and a curvedportion 32 connecting the arm portion 31 to the frame 20. Each armportion 31, curved portion 32 and a portion of frame 20 form an opencontainer-retaining cavity 34 between the frame 20 and the arm 30. Eachcavity 34 is adapted to receive and retain an elliptically-shapedcontainer.

In some embodiments, the cavities 34 may be present on only one side ofthe frame 20 (shown in FIG. 1 a). In this embodiment, the arms 30 wouldbe disposed on one side of the frame 20. The opposite side of the frame20 would be, therefore, straight or have another design, withoutcavities.

In the present invention, each cavity 34 has at least one widthdimension that is slightly smaller than the corresponding diameterdimension of the elliptically-shaped container when the container is notbeing retained within the cavity 34. In a particular embodiment of theinvention, the cavity 34 has multiple width dimensions that are slightlysmaller than the corresponding diameter dimensions of theelliptically-shaped container when the container is not being retainedwithin the cavity 34. In FIG. 1, width dimensions D1, D2 and D3 of thecavity 34 are shown. The diameter dimensions D4, D5 and D6 of theelliptically-shaped container 60 are also shown. In this embodiment,width dimensions D1, D2 and D3 are slightly smaller than thecorresponding diameter dimensions D4, D5 and D6 of theelliptically-shaped container. This allows the arm 30 and frame 20 tosecurely retain the container by generally conforming to the ellipticalshape of the container when the container is inserted properly intocavity 34.

In an embodiment, the frame 20 is substantially flat and has sufficientrigidity to support at least six containers without being distorted. Ina particular embodiment, six arms 30 are provided along the length ofthe frame 20. In this embodiment, three arms 30 may be provided on eachside of the frame 20. In another embodiment the packaging clip of thepresent invention may have a handle 222 fixedly attached to the frame 20(shown in FIG. 3).

A container can be inserted into the packaging clip 10 by pushing thecontainer between the frame 20 and arm portion 31. The arm 30 flexiblyadjusts to receive the container into cavity 34. Once the container hasbeen inserted into the cavity 34, the arm 30 returns to its originalposition, securely retaining the container. A container can be removedfrom the packaging clip 10 by pulling the container through the openingbetween the frame 20 and the arm portion 31. Again, the arm 30 flexiblyadjusts to release the container. The arm 30 then returns to itsoriginal position.

In one embodiment of the packaging clip 10, the cavities 34 on bothsides of the frame 20 face the same direction (shown in FIG. 1). Inanother embodiment of the invention, the cavities 34 on one side of theframe 20 face one direction and the cavities 34 on the opposite side ofthe frame 20 face the opposite direction (shown in FIG. 2).

In certain embodiments of the invention, the packaging clip 10 has aretention barb 33 on the terminal end of each arm 30. The retention barb33 enhances the ability of the packaging clip 10 to retain thecontainers. Although the retention barbs 33 are shaped in a particularmanner in the drawings, the retention barbs 33 of the invention may havevarious shapes. The retention barbs 33 can comprise any shape thatenhances the ability of the clip 10 to retain the containers.

FIG. 2 a shows an embodiment of the invention having a first arm 130, asecond arm 140 and a third arm 150. In this embodiment, arm portions 141and 151 are shorter than arm portion 131. An optional prong 122 isprovided on the frame 120, opposite the first arm 130, to enhance theability of the first arm 130 to retain an elliptically-shaped container.An additional retaining member 121 is present on the frame 120, oppositethe second arm 140 and third arm 150. In a particular embodiment, theadditional retaining member 121 can be elbow-shaped. In anotherembodiment, the additional retaining member 121 can be prong-shaped. Theadditional retaining member 121 enhances the ability of second arm 140and third arm 150 to retain an elliptically-shaped container byproviding an entrance to the cavity 134 that is slightly smaller thanthe minor diameter dimension of the elliptically-shaped container.

Though not shown, it can be appreciated that the first arm 130 couldhave an arm portion 131 that was slightly shorter than is shown in FIG.2 a. In this embodiment, an elbow 121 could be provided on the frame120, opposite first arm 130. Similarly, the length of arm portions 141and 151 could be extended and a prong 122 provided on the frame 120,opposite second and third arms 140 and 150.

FIG. 3 illustrates a packaging assembly of the present invention. Thepackaging assembly 200 is designed to retain a plurality ofelliptically-shaped containers 260. The packaging assembly 200 comprisesa packaging clip 270 as described above and a plurality ofelliptically-shaped containers 260 retained within the cavities of theclip 260.

Each of the elliptically-shaped containers 260 has anelliptically-shaped cylindrical body portion 261. With one particularcontainer, a circular-shaped cylindrical upper body portion 262 and acircular-shaped cylindrical lower body portion 263 are included. Thecircular-shaped upper body portion 262 and the lower body portion 263have a diameter that is greater than the major diameter of theelliptically-shaped body portion 261. This prevents theelliptically-shaped body portion 261 from slipping out of the packagingclip 200. The containers 260 also comprise a cylindrical top portion 264adapted to removably receive a closure.

If desired, a packaging assembly according to the invention could beenclosed in plastic wrap. Similarly, the packaging assembly could havethe bottoms of the containers resting in a tray and the entire assemblycould be enclosed in plastic wrap.

In an embodiment, the packaging clip of the present invention is moldedof a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusionor injection, so that it is a unitary member of uniform wall thickness.Any plastic material known in the art can be used to form the packagingclip. A suitable plastic for forming the packaging clip includes, but isnot limited to, polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile,acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate,polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.

The present invention provides many advantages over packaging clips ofthe prior art. By requiring only one arm to retain a container, thepresent invention maximizes the number of containers that can beretained in a given frame length. Additionally, because the clip retainsthe containers through the use of only one arm, it is easier to insertand remove containers from the clip. Only one arm has to flexibly adjustin order to receive or release the container. This may allow the user toremove or replace a bottle with only one hand.

The packaging clip of the present invention allows the remainingcontainers to remain secure after one container is removed from theclip. The packaging clip can be easily reused. It is durable andrelatively inexpensive to produce. It stabilizes the containers duringshipment and displays the containers while in inventory. Furthermore, itallows the assembly to be conveniently shrink-wrapped in plastic, placedin a cardboard container, or mounted on a carrier tray.

The present invention can be used to package containers for commercialdistribution purposes, to collect empty containers, or may be re-usedwith other elliptically-shaped containers.

While the particular invention is designed for an elliptically-shapedbottle, it can be appreciated that the packaging clips of the inventioncould be adapted for bottles having other shapes, such as ovular-,circular- or triangular-shaped bottles.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedusing specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is forillustrative purposes only. The words used are words of descriptionrather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, whichis set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should beunderstood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchangedboth in whole or in part. For example, while methods for the productionof a sterile liquid nutritional supplement made according to thosemethods have been exemplified, other uses are contemplated. Therefore,the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to thedescription of the preferred versions contained therein.

1. A clip for retaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers,said clip comprising a frame having a length dimension with oppositesides and a plurality of arms extending from opposite sides of theframe, wherein: a. each arm has an arm portion extending substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and a curved portionconnecting the arm portion to the frame to form at least one opencontainer-retaining cavity between the frame and the arm; b. the cavityis adapted to receive and retain one of the elliptically-shapedcontainers; and c. the cavity has at least one width dimension that isslightly smaller than the corresponding diameter dimension of theelliptically-shaped container when the container is not retained withinthe cavity.
 2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the cavity hasmultiple width dimensions that are slightly smaller than thecorresponding diameter dimensions of the elliptically-shaped container.3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the arms flexibly adjust toreceive and retain the elliptically-shaped container.
 4. The clipaccording to claim 1, comprising multiple cavities.
 5. The clipaccording to claim 1, wherein a retention barb is located at theterminal end of each arm.
 6. The clip according to claim 1, wherein anadditional retaining member is positioned on the frame at the opening ofthe cavity.
 7. The clip according to claim 6, wherein the additionalretaining member is elbow-shaped.
 8. The clip according to claim 6,wherein the additional retaining member is prong-shaped.
 9. The clipaccording to claim 1, wherein each cavity opens in the same direction.10. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the cavities on one side ofthe frame open in one direction and the cavities on the other side ofthe frame open in the opposite direction.
 11. The clip according toclaim 1, wherein the device is formed from a plastic material.
 12. Theclip according to claim 1 comprising at least six arms.
 13. The clipaccording to claim 11, wherein at least three arms are located on eachside of the frame.
 14. The clip according to claim 1, further comprisinga handle fixedly attached to the frame.
 15. A packaging assembly forretaining a plurality of elliptically-shaped containers, said packagingassembly comprising a packaging clip according to claim 1 and aplurality of elliptically-shaped containers retained within saidcavities.
 16. The packaging assembly according to claim 14, wherein thepackaging assembly is shrink-wrapped.
 17. The packaging assemblyaccording to claim 14, wherein the packaging assembly is packaged in acardboard container.
 18. The packaging assembly according to claim 14,wherein the packaging assembly is mounted on a tray.